The Exhibitor (1957)

6 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR UA Common Admitted To Trading On Big Board At Stock Exchange NEW YORK — Common stock of United Ar¬ tists Corporation, world -wide motion picture distribution company, was admitted to trad¬ ing on the New York Stock Exchange last week, climaxing a six-year program of ex¬ pansion inaugurated when the present man¬ agement group assumed control of the com¬ pany in 1951. Arthur B. Krim, president, and Robert S. Benjamin, chairman of the board, participated in ceremonies at the Exchange here marking UA’s formal listing on the Big Board. Admission to trading on the Exchange comes at virtually the midpoint of what is shaping up as the best year in United Artists’ 38-year history. Gross income for the first quarter was $14,389,000, up 14.6 per cent over the like period of 1956. It is estimated that the gross for the six-month period ended June 30 will be some $5.5 million ahead of the first half of 1956. A record annual gross of more than $70 million is foreseen for 1957. Listing on the Big Board follows by 12 weeks the first public offering of securities in United Artists’ history, made on April 24. At the company s first public stockholders meet¬ ing on June 4, Benjamin reported net earn¬ ings, after provision for taxes and year-end adjustments, of 57 cents per share on approxi Business Building Program Discussed by Sub-Committee The first meeting of the sub-committee appointed to plan an expansion of the in¬ dustry's business-building program was held last week. In addition to members of the sub-com¬ mittee, with co-chairmen Charles E. Mc¬ Carthy and Oscar A. Doob, there were present Abe Montague, MPAA member of the COMPO governing committee; Ernest Stellings, president of TOA; Alex Harrison, chairman of the MPAA General Sales Managers Committee; Emanuel Frisch, Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres As¬ sociation; Kenneth Clark of MPAA; Jo¬ seph Alternam and George Roscoe of TOA and Stanley Prenosil of the COMPO staff. McCarthy, who presided, reported excel¬ lent cooperation from 18 theatre advertis¬ ing men in various parts of the country, who had been asked to submit ideas for an expanded program. mately 1,000,000 shares outstanding — an in¬ crease of more than 19 per cent over the first quarter of 1956. BROADWAY GROSSES (As of this Monday) Strong Openings Aid NEW YORK— Heat or no heat, the advent of some strong and the evident staying power of other attractions in the first-runs resulted in fine “air conditioned” business. According to usually reliable sources reach¬ ing MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, the breakdown was as follows: “BAND OF ANGELS” (Warners). Para¬ mount ($47,654)* — Second session heading to¬ ward $29,000. “AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER” (20thFox). Roxy ($81,388)— Friday, Saturday and Sunday reported at $56,718, with the opening week bound to top $86,000. Usual stage show. “SILK STOCKINGS” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall ($146,192) — Thursday through Sunday accounted for $105,000, with the first week heading for $165,000. Usual stage show. “THE PRIDE AND THE PASSION” (UA). Capitol ($39,813) — Fourth week claimed at $73,000. “FACE IN THE CROWD” (Warners). Globe ($11,854) — Eighth week dropped to $8,000. “THE DELICATE DELINQUENT” (Para¬ mount). Mayfair ($15,087) — Third, and last, week okay at $17,000. “BEAU JAMES" (Paramount). Astor ($24,578) — Fourth week expected to hit $20,000 “HATFUL OF RAIN” (20th-Fox). Victori; ($21,930) — Opening week going over $31,000. “SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS” (UA). Loew’s State ($18,644) — Fourth week fine at $21,000. '■‘Figures in parentheses are 1956 weekly aver¬ ages based on MOTION PICTURE EXHIBI¬ TOR reports. Tax Relief Lags WASHINGTON — With the current session of Congress indicated to be of brief duration there was no indication last fortnight that any concerted action was being made to facilitate the McDonough Bill to wipe out the remaining 10 per cent levy on theatre admissions. The Ways and Means Committee has begun a series of closed hearings to consider tax measures sponsored by Congressmen but has announced it will not take up excise unless based on favorable reports from the Forand Committee. Thus begins another race against time to get further relief for the exhibitors of the country. INDEX Volume 58, Number 13 July 24, 1957 Section One Editorials . 5 The New York Scene By Mel Konecoff 6 The International Scene . 12 News Of The Territories 13 Section Two The Servisection . SS1-SS4 (Pink Reviews Section) The NEW YORK Scene By Mel Konetoff ANOTHER ARGUMENT for the use of special footage to pre-sell the bigger films came last week from UA executive Richard Condon, who recently completed a 79-day tour of the U. S. and Canada on behalf of “The Pride And The Passion.” His reception by press and exhibitors forecast that the pre-selling films would become a generally established aid in setting up mass newspaper, television, and radio attention for blockbuster productions. Statistically speaking, Condon showed reporters, critics, station rep¬ resentatives, and store executives 14 featurettes especially shot for this nurpose in Soain during the filming of the picture. This resulted in 134,556 lines of publicity on the film or 4,204 lines per city. Thirty-four TV stations plus the Canadian Broadcasting network have programmed 19 hours and six minutes of advance footage in addition to breaks on network shows. Condon appeared on 123 radio programs additionally, with many taped for use, prior to the film's opening. He met with 864 exhibitors at luncheons in each of the 32 cities covered and so aroused many that they said they would go out of their way to see the film before buying and booking same. He opined that exhibitors are more actively involved in the pre-selling of films than at any time in the past and they feel a large-scale promotion for a film has tremendous import come playoff-time. CONTEST NOTE: The Trans-Lux Theatres in town are offering a Summer Festival Con¬ test wherein the public is invited to identify eight famous movie stars from old movie stills posted in the lobbies of the theatres. Contest forms are free to all. Fifty valuable prizes are offered, the first being a trip to Miami Beach. There is also a 25 word statement to be filled in on the blanks on “Why I Go To The Trans-Lux Theatres.” It’s a cute stunt and should attract attention. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Herbert Lorn, British actor famous for his villainous roles, was in town for his first visit to discuss making a film of his own on a co-production deal with an unnamed American distributor. He’ll be back again in the fall for further discussions. He had to return to England for the premiere of Rank's “Hell Drivers,” which was described as a “western on wheels” and is loaded with action. Rank will release at a later date here. . . . Producer Jerry Wald and director Martin Ritt brought a “rough cut” of “No Down Payment” in for execs of 20th-Fox to see, and they also invited the trade press to sit in on the screen¬ ing. Many were impressed with this tale of problems faced by the home buyers of today. . . . One of the stars of “Hatful of Rain,” Anthony Franciosa, was on hand in the lobby of the Victoria on opening morning. . . . The new stage show at the Radio City Music Hall honors the founding of the U. S. Air Force 50 years ago. . . . Harry McWilliams is in Mexico putting his International Amateur Hour show across in a big way. July 24, 19 57